In wake of budget cuts, Staten Island Zoo to hike admission $1

Advance file photoCity funding for the Staten Island Zoo was slashed from $1.5 to $1.2 million in this fiscal year.

The effect of mounting budget cuts at the Staten Island Zoo will trickle down to visitors in March when the admission price is increased by $1.

After the Zoo's city funding was slashed from $1.5 to $1.2 million in this fiscal year, executive director John Caltabiano sought permission from the city Department of Cultural Affairs to raise the price at the gate. And the Zoo stands to lose more in the coming fiscal year as the city and state budgets are further tightened.

"Unless there's some increase at our gate, there's no way we can sustain the cutbacks on our current budget," Caltabiano said. "You can either raise the bridge or lower the water."

The new price structure will be $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children.

There will still be free admission on Wednesdays after 2 p.m.

Membership prices are also set to increase by $10 with an individual membership priced at $45 and a family membership increasing to $85.

Raising prices is just one way Caltabiano is trying to stop the bleeding.

He has already eliminated employee overtime and though he remains hopeful he can avoid layoffs and the curtailing of Zoo hours, he cautioned that anything is possible. He is also continuing to seek more foundation money from both Island and off-Island sources and to increase fund-raising efforts.